News Blog > Inspiring craft projects to keep you stitching, knitting or beading through the long sunlit hours

Inspiring craft projects to keep you stitching, knitting or beading through the long sunlit hours

Are you ready to start planning your projects for the New Year? Check out the latest in our crafts collection to find lots of fun ideas, fantastic designs, patterns and information that can boost your enthusiasm and send you on a wonderful journey of crafting!

Circular knitting / by Melissa Morgan-Oakes.
“Knitting in the round has benefits over knitting with straight needles, including seamless finished projects, easy portability, and not having to turn your work. With patterns ranging from scarves and hats to sweaters and baby sets, this visual guide will have you knitting in the round in no time.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Seamless crochet : techniques and designs for join-as-you-go motifs / Kristin Omdahl.“Crochet motifs are the basis for many of today’s most popular designs, from Granny Square afghans to lacy shawls. These projects are traditionally constructed as beautiful, discrete building blocks that are sewn together after all are made, which can mean hundreds of seams (and twice that many ends to weave in). Kristin has pioneered a new way of working patterns in one piece eliminating seams and leaving only two ends to weave in! This modular construction allows one piece to flow into the next and the joins are more secure than traditional joining. Each motif is joined to all of the adjacent motifs in the stitch pattern, creating beautiful geometric patterning on the exterior round. This technique basically entails working half a row of motifs at a time, from left to right. The return row completes the top half of each motif in the row. The end result looks like traditional motifs, but the construction is entirely different. When crocheting a traditional motif, you crochet a chain to elevate the hook to the height of the stitches on that row. No, imagine if you were to work a chain long enough to include the beginning chain of every round before you began your first round. At the end of every round, you would just slip stitch to the appropriate height chain to join and slip stitch up the correct height for the next round of stitches.” – (Drawn by publisher’s description)

State of craft / [edited by Victoria Woodcock].
“In the first decade of the twenty-first century, as the perils of globalized consumerism became an omnipresent reality and a topic of which all were aware, a small critical mass began to eschew mass-produced domestic design in favor of producing handmade and recycled objects themselves. The craft revolution of the early 2000s gained early visibility with the renewed popularity of knitting, which in turn revived the dying arts of crochet, embroidery, bricolage and macram , seeping from the fringes of the culture into its mainstream. In 2005, Victoria Woodcock and Ziggy Hanaor edited Making Stuff, one of the first alternative craft books to hit the shelves and draw the spotlight to this burgeoning movement. With State of Craft, Woodcock and Hanaor shake things up once again, offering a fully illustrated how-to guide for making everything from mobiles to lampshades. State of Craftfeatures interviews and contributions from all the hottest international craft megastars including Tatty Devine, Urban Cross Stitch and DIY Couture. Clearly explained, step-by-step craft ideas range from homemade underwear to pompom necklaces and angle poise lamps made with jars. Craft has inspired a whole generation of hipsters, and has come a long way in the past ten years. State of Craftbrings it all up to date.” – (Global Books)

Brooches & pins / by Louise Compagnone.
“This book is great for those who enjoy making jewellery. There are sections which cover using found objects, glass beads, wiring techniques and many more. It includes photos of beautifully crafted jewellery and a few basic jewellery techniques to use with your own creative imagination.” – (Drawn by publisher’s description)

The best of quilting arts : your ultimate resource for art quilt techniques and inspiration / Pokey Bolton.
“The best techniques from a decade of Quilting Arts. A groundbreaking magazine in the art quilting scene, Quilting Arts has explored the basics and beyond of art quilting, machine- and hand-stitching, embellishment, surface design, and more for a decade. Celebrate the 10th anniversary with a collection of the very best articles, plus never-before-seen material including: How to construct art quilts from fabric collage and applique; to whole-cloth quilts Machine-stitching and thread-painting tips and tutorials from award-winning art quilters Inspiring, in-depth profiles of some of the most highly revered art quilters today An array of binding and finishing techniques to make your art quilt stand out Ideas and advice on how to turn your love of art quilting into a business Whether you’re making your first art quilt or are a seasoned quilter wanting to enhance your designs, The Best of Quilting Arts has all the inspiration and information that you need to be successful.” – (Drawn by publisher’s description)

Wonderful ways with wax : encaustic art for craft projects / Jann Visser.
“An ancient art form, encaustic art has seen a resurgence in popularity with the art and craft world¿s focus on mixed media. This book makes it accessible to everyone, from beginners to more experienced artists and craft workers. It shows you how to apply the coloured wax to anything from the usual glossy cardstock, to wood-free paper, canvas, glass and porcelain, as well as wood, candles and fabric, using several heat sources and applicators. As well as providing all the information you need on materials, tools, basic techniques, colour mixing, finishes, and application possibilities, there are over 50 fabulous projects that will have you hooked in no time. Learn to make greetings cards, paper stock for other craft projects, wall art, mosaics and many more using a huge range of techniques such as mixed media collage, tissue and crushed paper effects, candle carving and stamping. This is a fantastic source of ideas and inspiration for anyone interested in this amazing art form.” – (Global Books)

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